Time and frequency transfer and dissemination methods using optical fiber network

Abstract

In the time and frequency transfer and dissemination field, it is important to provide cost effective remote frequency calibration services with an uncertainty of around 10-12 for end users. It is also required to develop ultra precise transfer methods with an order of 10-15 or better uncertainty for the comparison between ultra stable frequency standards which are under developing. This study shows two methods using optical fiber networks to satisfy these demands. First, it is an economical remote calibration method using existing synchronous optical fiber communication networks. The measured frequency stability (the Allan deviation) of the transmission clock is 2times10-13 for an averaging time of one day. The result indicates the method is promising for the simple remote frequency calibration service. Second, it is an ultra precise two-way optical fiber time and frequency transfer method using a newly proposed bi-directional optical amplifier. In this method, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) signals are transmitted along a single optical fiber. The preliminary measured frequency stability is less than 1015 (tau =104 s) for a 100-km-long fiber with the bi-directional amplifier. It suggests that the method has capability for improving TAI (International Atomic Time) and UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)